/ 23 March 2009

Teen killed in Port St Johns shark attack

A 16-year-old boy died after being attacked by a shark on Second beach in Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape, according to a report on Monday.

A 16-year-old boy died after being attacked by a shark on Second beach in Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape, the Herald Online reported on Monday.

Luyolo Mangele was part of a surfing exercise when the shark struck on Friday afternoon.

He was bitten in the leg and managed to paddle to shore where his instructor and a lifesaver pulled him out.

He was rushed to hospital where he later died.

”My brother was an avid surfer whose life revolved around swimming,” said Mangele’s brother, Luyanda (21).

In January Sikhanyiso Bangilizwe (25) was killed by a Zambezi shark while swimming with his colleagues at the same beach.

Wild Coast Guards managing director Khaya Mjo said there had been an increase in the number of surfers and this could be attracting the sharks.

The Wild Coast Guards, the local municipality and the Department of Transport’s maritime division were investigating alternative methods of securing the beach against sharks.

Shark nets were a possible solution but had some negative impacts and rough seas could damage them, Mjo said.

A proposal to use electrodes to repel sharks was made but environmentalist would ”shoot it down” because it would also affect other species, Mjo told the Herald. — Sapa